First published 1983
Larry J. Sabato examines how political consultants have transformed American campaigns. He focuses on four key players: campaign strategists who design overall approaches, pollsters who measure public opinion, direct mail specialists who target voters through postal campaigns, and media experts who craft television and radio messages. Sabato traces how these professionals have changed the way candidates run for office and connect with voters. He analyzes their methods, their growing influence, and their impact on democratic processes. The book shows how consultants have become essential figures in modern politics, wielding significant power behind the scenes. Sabato argues that their rise has fundamentally altered the American political landscape, affecting everything from campaign costs to voter engagement. He offers readers insight into the machinery that drives contemporary elections and the people who operate it.
Genres: political-science, politics, 21st-century, american-history
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: investigative-journalism, non-fiction
Period: 21st-Century
376 pages · Paperback · Basic Books